Kralendijk
Kralendijk is Bonaire's capital and main port, with a historic downtown on the waterfront and water taxis to Klein Bonaire.
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Kralendijk is the capital and main port of Bonaire, an island in the Caribbean Netherlands. Locals often call the town Playa, the Papiamentu word for beach, and its name comes from the Dutch for coral dike. Papiamentu is the main language, but Dutch and English are widely used. Fort Oranje, built in 1639 to guard the main harbor, is a key landmark, and the Kaya Grandi shopping street has buildings from the late 1800s and 1900s in several styles.
Water taxis run from central Kralendijk to Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited island known for diving and snorkeling, and to several resort areas. The Public Beach, also called Windsock, lies about 1.5 km south of downtown. Taxis serve the town and the airport, and there is no public bus service, so plan on taxis, a rental car, or a bicycle or scooter. The short rainy season runs from October to January, and its rain is erratic.
Kralendijk in five
- Take a collective taxi to RinconThere is no public bus service in Kralendijk. Taxis work in town and at the airport, and collective taxis run between Kralendijk and Rincon.Getting around
- Catch a water taxi to Klein BonaireWater taxis leave central Kralendijk for Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited island just offshore. Almost all local dive operators can take divers there.
- Rent a scooter or bicycle in townCar rentals are at Flamingo International Airport, while scooters and bicycles are rented in town.
- Visit Windsock, the public beachThe Public Beach, also called Windsock, lies about 1.5 km south of downtown at the west end of the airport runway. Another public beach is about 2 km north, at the Bonaire Sunset Beach Hotel.
- Follow the historical walking tourThe Tourism Corporation Bonaire publishes a walking tour brochure listing 25 historical sites downtown. Fort Oranje, built in 1639 to guard the main harbor, is one of them.
Things to do in Kralendijk
See all attractions in Kralendijk
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Dutch entry rules apply. Check your passport and visa needs before you travel.
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Check whether a service charge is already on the bill.
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryShort rain season
- FebruaryHot, dry
- MarchHot, dry
- AprilHot, dry
- MayHot, dry
- JuneHot, dry
- JulyHot, dry
- AugustHot, dry
- SeptemberHot, dry
- OctoberShort rain season
- NovemberShort rain season
- DecemberShort rain season
Right now in Kralendijk
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
32
- Feels like
- 36°
- Humidity
- 54%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 83%
Kralendijk
04:40 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°26°83%Monday: Rain. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Tue31°28°16%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Wed31°28°23%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Thu31°26°51%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Fri31°25°59%Friday: Rain. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Sat30°25°47%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Sun31°26°35%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 35%.
Updated 12:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Klein BonaireUnder 30 min by water taxiAn uninhabited island for diving and snorkelling, reached by water taxi from central Kralendijk.
- RinconUnder 30 min by carAn inland village on the island, reached by collective taxi from Kralendijk.
- Lac BayUnder 40 min by carA shallow bay known for windsurfing and calm water.
Before you go to Kralendijk
Rules for Kralendijk, checked
- Almost all local dive operators can take divers to Klein Bonaire, so ask yours about the trip before you book.
- Water taxis run from central Kralendijk to Klein Bonaire and to several resort areas.
- Dutch customs rules apply in Kralendijk. Check the customs site for goods and cash limits before you pack.Source
Plan around Kralendijk
Beaches, dive sites and the wider island in one place.
Read the guideWhere to stayRooms and bases for Kralendijk and the rest of the island.
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis, rentals, collective taxis and water taxis.
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for visitors to the Caribbean Netherlands.
Read the guideMoney and costsTypical prices for a day in Kralendijk and how to pay.
Read the guideCaribbean destinationsOther islands and the wider region.
Read the guideKralendijk FAQ
Is Kralendijk worth visiting?
Yes, if you want diving and snorkeling close to town. Klein Bonaire is a short water taxi ride from the center, and a walking tour brochure lists 25 historical sites downtown.
How do you get around Kralendijk without a car?
Taxis work in town and at the airport, and collective taxis run to Rincon. There is no public bus service, but bicycles and scooters can be rented in town.
What language is spoken in Kralendijk?
Papiamentu is the main language, but Dutch and English are widely used.
Where is the nearest beach to Kralendijk?
The Public Beach, also called Windsock, is about 1.5 km south of downtown. Another public beach is at the Bonaire Sunset Beach Hotel, about 2 km north.
What does the name Kralendijk mean?
The name comes from the Dutch word Koralendijk, meaning coral dike. Locals often call the town Playa, which means beach in Papiamentu.